Outdoor Adventures

This private program series is for small family/friend groups consisting of no more than 15 people. There is no age limit for this program, but a parent/guardian must be in attendance for all registrants under the age of 18. Whether you are age 5 or 50, we will create an adventure for your group. The program will be entirely outside and will begin at our picnic shelter. 

Fees and Availability

Fees: $50, up to 15 people total, regardless of age. 

Availability: Monday - Sunday 10 am - 11:30 am or 2 pm - 3:30 pm.

Topics

Explore the topics and choose what is best for you! If you don’t see what you’re looking for, give us a call and we will help you build your own adventure!

Survival

See if you have what it takes to build a shelter from scratch and start a fire without matches!       *fire starting age requirement is 8 years old and up.

Archery

Learn the basics of archery starting with what came before the modern bow. *recommended age of children is 7 years old and up.

Pond Exploration

Learn about the wetlands of Springbrook from inside them! Whether you dip in a hand or jump in with both feet we’ll get an up-close view of our ponds and the creatures inside them. 

Insect Discovery

Dive into the secret world of insects within Springbrook’s Prairies. We’ll get up close to the diverse world of insects and how they color our landscapes. 

Build Your Own Adventure

If your interests don’t fit any of the adventures above, we’ll work with you to build an adventure that fits your interests.

Booking Your Program

Are you ready to get started with your Outdoor Adventure?  Call the nature center at 763-572-3588 and book your program today!  Time slots are limited, don’t wait.

Friday Night By Firelight

It's time for some entertaining education for you and the whole family.  Come out to the nature center amphitheater to hear from entertaining educators about the things they are most passionate about.  This program is free to the public due to the generous sponsorship of the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation.

September 9th  7 pm

Snake Discovery

Learn about reptiles both large and small, common and rare! We slither around the world to meet reptiles from every continent they’re found on. Audience members will learn what a legless lizard is, meet a rare species of snake up close, touch a gecko, hold a large boa constrictor, watch a snake eat, and more! 

September 16th  7 pm

Pollinate MN

Learn more about our variety of MN bees, why they’re important, what’s going on, how we can help. Get up close to a working observation hive of live honeybees, safely enclosed behind plexiglass.

September 23rd  7 pm

The Voyageurs Wolf Project

The Voyageurs Wolf Project is a University of Minnesota research project that was started to address one of the biggest knowledge gaps in wolf ecology—what do wolves do during the summer?  The Voyageurs Wolf Project is focused on understanding the summer ecology of wolves in the Greater Voyageurs Ecosystem, Minnesota, USA. Our over-arching goal is to couple cutting-edge, rigorous wolf research with highly-effective, entertaining, and engaging outreach and education.

Lantern Light Hikes

Bundle up and get ready to hike at Springbrook using the light of glowing lanterns to guide your way.  Listen for owls hooting, keep your eyes peeled for elusive nocturnal animals, and warm up by the fire along the way.  If snowpack allows, snowshoe rental will be available as supplies last.  

December 9, 2022

January 13, 2023

February 10, 2023

March 10, 2023

Animal Feedings

Sundays

Update: This public program is cancelled for the time being.

Have you ever wondered how snakes eat, what’s for breakfast when you’re a turtle, or how a salamander finds a meal? This is the program for you. Watch our exhibit animals enjoy a delicious meal while a naturalist explains their feeding behaviors and taste preferences. Experience the predator-prey relationship in front of your eyes!

There is no charge to attend this program.

Springbrook's Bird Banding Programs

Free, best time to visit: between 9am and 11am 

Help capture and release wild birds for this banding research program. Hold in your hand cardinals, chickadees, robins, and more as they are released. The birds are measured, weighed, examined for fat and other health indicators, aged and sexed (if possible), fitted with a light-weight band with a unique number on it and then released. Springbrook's bird banding project is one of the longest and continual bird banding projects in Minnesota.

Dates: 
August 14, 2022
September 4, 2022
September 25, 2022
October 9, 2022
November 6, 2022
December 4, 2022 

Photo Club
7-9 p.m., once a month

Update: Photo Club is cancelled until further notice. Updates will be posted on our website and Facebook page.

Do you enjoy nature photography? Photographers of all levels and ages welcome to attend this free program!

Discuss photos, new equipment, gear, photography issues, and possible upcoming photography opportunities.

Each meeting has an "assignment," or topic of focus given for the next month’s meeting. Participants are welcome to bring a thumb drive with 5-10 pictures they have taken, usually based on the assignment but not required to be. The pictures are projected on a large screen and discussed. Monthly assignments vary, topic examples include: depth of field, photography issues, "frozen," "spring," or "water". There is a bias toward nature in our subjects, but other picture subjects are welcome as well.

Meeting generally take place on the forth Thursday of each month, at 7 p.m. at Springbrook Nature Center.

Upcoming Dates:

• Please check back at a later date. Photo Club is currently cancelled until further notice due to the Covid-19 pandemic.